MR MYERS AND THE NAVY LEAGUE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 418, 15 October 1918, Page 3

MR MYERS AND THE NAVY LEAGUE.

The following copies ot correspondence have been forwarded as for publication by Mr H. E. R. L Wily, Mauku:

Mantra, July 10th, 1918. To the President, Navy League, Auckland. Dear Captain Thomas, On looking through the neatly got up report of the Navy League I was profoundly astonished to find the name of Mr. A. M. Myers among the Vice-Presidents. Surely in an institution which should be the very embodiment of the highest ideals of the British spirit there can be no room for any but members of oar own race. I would ask you to bring this matter before your Executive at the earliest possible opportunity, with a ▼iew to the removal of Mr Myers' name from the list of members. With kind regards, Yours very truly, HENRY E. R. L. WILY Auckland Hospital, Park Road, Auckland, N Z. 12th July, 1918. H.EE.L Wily, Esq., Mauku. Dear Mr. Wily, Your letter to hand to day ; I will place it before the Committee on the sth August, 1918. Yours faithfully, EBEN. J. THOMAS, Manager. The Falls, Mauku, August 12th, 1918. A. Burt, Esq, Hon. Sec, Navy League, Auckland Branch. Dear Sir, On July 10th last I wrote to the President of your branch, Captain Thomas, drawing his attention to the fact that the name of Mr. A. M. Myers was published in the report of the branch as one of the Vice-Presidents, and asking him to bring the matter before the Executive with a view to its removal upon the grounds that on an institution : like the Navy League there ought to be no place for any but members of ' our own race. In his reply Captain Thomas informed mo that the matter • would be brought forward on the • sth inst.

I have not yet received any intimation as to what has been done and shall be glad to hear. If it has not already been dealt with may I ask that it shall receive the earliest possible attention. Yours faithfully, HENRY E. B. L WILY. The Navy League. No. 7 Customs Street West, Auckland, August 13th, 1918. Mr. H. E. R. L Wily, " The Falls," Mauku. Dear Mr. Wily, In reply to your letter of 12th inst, I have tn state that the position of Honorary Vice-President jge a matter of subscription, the payment of one guinea per annum entitling the member to rank as such. As Mr Myers pays that amount it is not seen how an exception can be made in his case. I may say that the point has been raised previous to the receipt of your letter and fully discussed at a previous Executive Meeting, but having accepted him as a member it was decided that no action could be taken.

I might point out that the published Constitution and Rules of the Navy League, adopted by the Grand Council provides under heading Membership : " Ail persons signifying thpir approval of the objects of the League and subscribing not lsss than one shilling per annum shall be members of the League." You will observe that this is very broad and does not specify purely British Nationality. Yours sincerely, A. BUKT, Jr,(L>HSj Hon. Secretary. Trie F«H», Mauku. August 16th, 1918. A. Burt, E-q, Hon. Secretary, Navy League, Auckland. Dear Mr Burt, I am in receipt of your letter of the 13th re Mr Myers' membership of the League. I see from your quotation from the constitution that there is a difficulty in removing Mr Myers' name during the currency of the term for which he has paid his subscription. As, however, I am sure that the Executive will agree with me that any intrusion of the German ele ment is extremely undesirable, I would ask the Executive to requ<>B' Mr Myers to discontinue his subscription. Yours sincerely, HENRY E. R. L. WILY. The Falls, Mauku, October Ist, 1918. The Hon Secretary, Navy League, Auckland. Dear Sir, I have been awaiting a reply to my letters of the 12th and 16th ult, but so far have not received any. I have been privately informed, however, that they came before the Executive at its meeting of September 2nd and it was decided merely to " receive " them. Under the circumstances I will ask you to refrain from publishing my name as a life member in association with that of any person of Geiman blood. Yours faithfully, HENBY E. R. L. WILY